Christmas Library 2020: "Christmas Is" At 50!

Just 5 years after "A Charlie Brown Christmas" the Lutheran Hour Ministries released the TV special "Christmas Is" to several television markets in 1970. This animated half hour story is about a boy named Benji who resents being cast as a shepherd in the local Christmas pageant. Benji is able to travel back in time to the little town of Bethlehem and realize the true meaning of Christmas. Included in the cast are many radio and voice acting legends like Hans Conried, June Foray, Vic Perrin, and Don Messick.  

The boy Benji and his dog Waldo would return in the sequels "Easter Is", "Freedom Is", and "The City That Forgot About Christmas"

The special is a personal favorite and I encourage families to check their local listings for this and other Lutheran Hour specials that have delighted families for decades.

The Lutheran Hour Christmas Specials are widely syndicated across American TV stations and usually air on or around Christmas Day.  Visit the Lutheran Hour TV Schedule page to find out when you can see these Christmas treasures. For more information on these and other specials visit the Christmas Library page.

Lutheran Hour & Smile TV Easter Specials

Lutheran Hour Easter TV Specials

Each March and April the Lutheran Hour Ministries makes 3 of their TV specials available to local TV markets and Christian broadcast stations.

The Puzzle Club® Easter Adventure
Feaures the three The Puzzle Club detectives, Christopher, Korina and Alex.

Easter Is (1974)
Sequel to the animated "Christmas Is" special in which young Benji is chosen to draw an Easter poster for his class decorating contest. How should he should he draw "Easter"? Features the voice talents of Leslie Uggams, Les Tremayne, Joan Gardner, Darla Hood (that Darla) in one her last roles.

3 Days
The story of the Resurrection portrayed the with a "you are there" feel.

To find these specials on cable or a local station go to the Lutheran Hour Ministries Broadcast Guide page at: https://www.lhm.org/broadcastinformation.asp. Many stations plan to air these programs on Saturday, April 11, and Easter Sunday.

Smile of A Child Easter Specials:

Smile (Smile of A Child network) will air "Easter Is" and "The Puzzle Club Easter Adventure" along with "Superbook: The Last Supper", "VeggieTales" An Easter Carol", "Discovering the Empty Tomb", "Bedbug Bible Gang Easter Party" and several other special programs several times this weekend. Their channel can be streamed for free with an account.